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Jerry, I would be grateful if you wanted to spear head this to be honest as you are in closer contact with Lisa and I think since she is the one who is initiating the idea we should make certain we get her availability (which she had mentioned late summer/fall to me too)

There are a few that expressed interest and all are in agreement with the idea of a simple and not expensive meeting.

I'd be interested, Jer. I don't travel well, but if it were in Richmond or close to there, I could certainly try. Maybe my significant other could drive. Keep me posted! I'm located 30 miles NW of Wash DC.

Well one suggestion would be Atlanta. Most people don't live that far from Atlanta. There is a International Airport there easy access around the city. As far as gas prices go we can always carpool and meet in different places so others don't have to spend a lot for gas prices.

I wouldn't mind meeting up in Atlanta. But, Once again, I've already scheduled my vacation for July 31st through August 18th.

Ed and I are still debating on possibly taking the Auto-train from Sanford, Fl to Lorton, VA, and heading up to Chittenango, New York, for this upcoming vacation. The auto train for two ( one way) is $434.00. The car is an additional $259.00. OUCH ! I know gas usage would not be that much.

It would be at least another 45 days after August 18th, before I would be able to take another week off from work, and thats not even a guarantee.

Well one suggestion would be Atlanta. Most people don't live that far from Atlanta. There is a International Airport there easy access around the city. As far as gas prices go we can always carpool and meet in different places so others don't have to spend a lot for gas prices.

Jerry,

That is a good idea particularly with the possible carpooling to Atlanta if there are enough people in different areas who want to come and drive together. Jeromy and I are actually going to visit my sister for the 4th of July weekend later today and it is pretty much a simple four hour drive clear through on the 85. If we decide to go forward for Atlanta as the site, He and I can certainly have room for two others in the car.

I wouldn't mind meeting up in Atlanta. But, Once again, I've already scheduled my vacation for July 31st through August 18th.

Ed and I are still debating on possibly taking the Auto-train from Sanford, Fl to Lorton, VA, and heading up to Chittenango, New York, for this upcoming vacation. The auto train for two ( one way) is $434.00. The car is an additional $259.00. OUCH ! I know gas usage would not be that much.

It would be at least another 45 days after August 18th, before I would be able to take another week off from work, and thats not even a guarantee.

Ray

Ray,

Jeromy has a similar vacation-time off issue and that is why I think just a simple informal weekend gathering might work best for a lot of people.

I really like the idea of Charlotte and with someone in the city willing to do some "legwork" sounds like a good idea. Of course I would be more than willing to organize something in Louisville,KY and we do have Southwest (although they are not as cheap as they used to be).

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"Let us give pubicity to HV/AIDS and not hide it..." "One of the things destroying people with AIDS is the stigma we attach to it." Nelson Mandela

I like most of you are on a tight budget and can understand what the price can be when it comes to traveling.

First I choose a larger city because most of our forum members can not just get in a car and travel many miles to get somewhere close.

Second to those that are really serious about attend a mini gathering like I have said before there are a lot of us that live pretty close to one another but really did not know.

It really does not matter to me where we decide to go or for how long.

Back in 2005 we had a mini gathering to Nashville TN did not expect to see many to show up but we had up to 15 show up and I was amazed.

So with that said if you seriously wanting to meet somewhere that will be great but if your just reading and thinking well I really would like to go but if so and so is going to be there I guess I will just stay home. Come people we all have HIV. Most all of us here are poor and are afraid to go from point A to point B.

If you know of someone that would like to come with you that is great the more the marryer.

This is not going to be like oh we have to get the biggest and most expensive hotel that has a lounge and indoor pool and room service and bell hop and a restaurant in the hotel. If that is what you choose more power to you. I am just a good ole country boy that lives in the mountains of Virginia. I really would like more time to see more of you more often but know it is in possible with the price of gas and everything else going up.

You can ask anyone here that has been to a mini to a big gathering that the love and support the tears that are shed the love that is poured out into trying to get it up and going is one of the best experiences you will never forget.

So if you can make it great I will see you where ever. If not I will still see you somewhere down the road.

Jerry, I would feel privleged to meet any of my fellow forum members. Charlotte is better for me(since I have to borrow a car,mine died) but could do Atlanta if I have to. Let us know and maybe you and Iggy can figure out what's best. no matter where , it will be great Cristy

I really would like to see us all meet up in Atlanta due that most live in the southeast or international. It is nice to see that most here are responding to the idea of a gathering. So if you can get there great if not we se see you sometime soon.

Ford, that is really nice of you. More than likely a car will be no problem for me but if it is, I will let you know. If we are planning for late September or October, I might even have another of my own by then. We might be able to save by carpooling, though. Gas being $4.00 or more per gallon. Hope this all comes together so we can get together. It will be so nice. TTYL. Cristy

If newbies are invited [assuming so LOL]. it be great to put some mugs with the names here!

Depending on the dates, I'm very interested in attending, either would be fine ATL, CLT or anywhere in the South.Atlanta is 1st choice and day's drive from NOLa. But been a long time since I've been to Charlotte.

I'm even toying with going to AMG 08 if I can swing it. Someone offered me miles ... probably won't happen but would be great.

Having just returned from a weekend visit to my sister in who lives outside of Atlanta, the trip was a nice drive from Charlotte.

It was about 4 hours and is pretty clear along the 85 for the majority of the drive. Gas cost us about $150 round trip so it certainly is doable expense wise if we can all find a cheap hotel in Atlanta and just make it a weekend thing. I also repeat Jeromy's and my offer to drive two others with us to Atlanta if they can get to Charlotte.

Jerry - can you add a poll to the top of this thread (if you can do that - not sure) and we can just all do a vote (we might want to list questions about best dates too)? If not, I can produce a poll using google docs and post it here as well.

Just want to throw out one more idea, but there is no rule that there has to be just one Southeast U.S. gathering.

Jeromy and I will likely go to the larger gathering as there are a number of people going who indicated interest and I would love to meet face to face and for us Atlanta is doable.

However if the goal is really just informal and inexpensive day or weekend get together for those within driving distance, then maybe there could be the Atlanta site for the larger Southeast gathering and for those too north of it, something like a Charlotte, or Asheville or even a Virgina location.

I like this idea alot -- after reading Creighton's article I would very much like to meet some folks from here. The dates mentioned seem fine with me and Atlanta is definately doable for me. Air Tran usually has some good rates from Richmond.

I wouldn't make it that close to Labor Day (the 7th). The later in Sept. the better, I would think. If it were up to me, I'd consider doing it in early October. It's much cooler then. Also, would Raleigh be a better choice than Charlotte? I'm thinking of all the museums, etc that are available. I haven't spent much time in Charlotte recently (or in Raleigh, either), but I've never considered it a fun place. Perhaps it is and I just missed it. Either of those two cities in NC would be ok with us.

Well the reason I have chosen Atlanta for one have personal never been there yeah have drove around there but never been there. I also picked a day of the week of the 7th or the week of the 14th. I agree it may be hot but just getting away from here for a few days will do some good. Besides this will be my first trip in a long time. I thought maybe the 11th through the 15th or the 18th through the 22.

As far as places to stay well that one is up too you. It would be nice if some of the people that live in or around Atlanta could chime in and let us know of a few good places to go and stay.

I doubt we'll attend in Atlanta. We'll have been back from MC for less than a month and from camping for Labor Day for a couple of weeks. It's a long drive for us (8 hours) and I'd like to recover financially from MC. If it were up to me, I'd plan this where the most people can attend. Keep it simple, cheap (unlike MC), and fun and I think you'll have a good group.

Well, this thread is kind of a big proof about what happened with AMG/MC. The interest is obviously there, but the affordability and/or location is what has kept numbers participating down.

This is not an AMG meeting, it's just a small get together for those that can make it. If you can make it fine, if not maybe there will be another small gathering in your area that you can attend. Just some people getting together to go out on the town which happens to be Atlanta.

You know I am going to have to say that it seems to me there is more interest than just a few friends getting together. If you look back through those who have expressed interest there is a good list and it's not just those who are a few hours from Atlanta. The thread was started as a Fall Mini Gathering, I took that to mean that it was sort of a mini AMG, now if I am mistaken then my misunderstanding.

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"Let us give pubicity to HV/AIDS and not hide it..." "One of the things destroying people with AIDS is the stigma we attach to it." Nelson Mandela

It started out that Lisa, Jerry and I were going to get together because we couldn't make Mexico this year. So thinking that there might be some others that would like to get together with us is why we invited anyone that wants to join us if they can. It's not an AMG gathering of sorts but a lot of us have met on the forums. I'm sure we will end up with alot of others from Atlanta joining in. It's just a get together tohave some fun. AMG is a very special event and if you ever have a chance to go to one I would really recommend you go. You'll never regret it.

Then perhaps this should be changed from a Fall Mini Gathering to "We're getting together, wanna join us". To me they are somewhat different and with the cost involved for some of us to travel that difference is important.

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"Let us give pubicity to HV/AIDS and not hide it..." "One of the things destroying people with AIDS is the stigma we attach to it." Nelson Mandela